Please help save Sydney's life!

[kittykatharine]

Omg!!! Vincristine is the exact same chemotherapy they gave my daughter. That's a good thing because my daughter has been in remission for 16 years!!!

Way to go Sydney!!! You're in my thoughts and prayers.

That is absolutely wonderful about your daughters remission. I can only hope for the same for little Sydney. It is funny, I was so scared for her to start chemotherapy, and now I am so scared for her to stop. I will be praying that her cancer is in remission for years - so she can be with me longer. I love her so very much. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers!:love::love::love:

[kittykatharine]

Sydney is due for the really tough chemo drug this week and I am again worried. I hope that she does well and continues to eat. I have to say that this treatment has made me exhausted. I feel like I have been fighting for her forever and I am just not seeing the end of the tunnel. Even though she appears to be acting ok, I really have no idea how long the cancer will stay in remission, if at all. I have been told there is no probability because cats act differently. Even my vet has not been able to give me any certainty. As the last few administrations come closer, I am becoming more and more nervous about stopping the chemo. Every time she goes in, I at least know the drugs are keeping those rapidly dividing cells at bay. but what happens when she stops? It is very nerve wrecking. Her last chemo admin is supposed to be December 3rd if nothing else goes wrong. I hope and pray that all this effort and money and sacrifice has worked. I know that she is here now, because of all the hard work, but I just hope to have her longer. She still acts young and I love her with all my heart. :(

[Catty1]

KK, of course your nerves are frazzled by now. Yow - you have been living your life with school and all, and getting your beloved Sydney the care she needs, and the funds...you have been living two or three lives!

Even with humans, cancer isn't "cured" until remission has lasted 5 years. Ask your vet what the follow-up will be with Sydney. x-rays/ultrasound at 3 months? If you know what the follow-up is, maybe you will feel better.

I thought she had had the really tough chemo treatment already.

PT Prayers for Sydney...hope she is eating a little extra to tide her through in case her appetite slows down for a day or two.

Remember this from August 18 - about a MONTH and a HALF ago:


You are not going to believe this, but just as I posted my last post, pleaing for prayers, the vet called. The results where in and they were all GREAT! Her heart is not enlarged and the ventricles and valves all looked good. Also the dark shading on her kidney and the lesion on her liver all turned out to be scar tissue from where tumors where destroyed. There appears to be no additional tumor growth. So the Chemo is WORKING! She is going to get her scheduled chemo this Wednesday, which is only five days later than expected. I am just so exsctatic! I am going to celebrate by giving her favorite canned food. Thanks for the prayers!

We're all with you, KK. We're rooting for you and Sydney with all our hearts. :love::love::love: {{{hugs}}}

[Medusa]

I've not had to go through cancer treatments w/any of my Fur Posse, thank goodness, so I can't say that I know what you're going through except that when our beloved furkids are sick we all worry in the same manner. It's tough enough going to school and trying to keep up w/life in general. Add a kitty w/cancer to the mix and you've got some major stress, Katherine. The fears that are racing through your mind are understandable. Probably the best stress reliever is a good heart-to-heart w/your vet. Tell him/her your fears and try not to let the 'no guarantee' clause frighten you. As we all know, life offers no guarantees but you can offer one to Sydney and that's to be strong and do your absolute best for her, which is what you've been doing all along. You're doing a fantastic job. My prayers for you and Sydney have never stopped. Keep the faythe.

[kittykatharine]

What do you think about this: I came home after an eleven hour work day to find I had a message on my answer machine stating I had missed blood tests for Sydney. Once again I NEVER miss anything. If there is anything I am good at it is being organized and taking care of Sydney. I watch her health care like a hawk. So, I called the vet this morning and they stated it is was another glitch in the computer system (this is the second time they have done this). It frigtens me because this states to me they are not looking at her chart and are relying on their computer system, which is glitching. I hope to God they aren't messing up her meds like they have messed up her other stuff (called twice regarding wrong treatments, left a cathetar in where she bled all over the car, messed up on billing resulting in additional $1500). These are MAJOR mistakes. It terrifies me. Especially when she goes in to have the Doxorubicin - which if administered incorrectly causes vast tissue death which usually results in amputation of the limb or death all together. I hate to say this, but I am afraid to talk to the vet - this is the only vet in town that can do this chemo treatment, so I cant upset her. But at the same time I am worrying to death everythime she goes in for treatment. What would you do?


On another note, thank you so much for the uplifting messages Mary and Candice. You both have been through this with me from the begining, and your support, information, prayers, etc. have made all the difference. You both are so very wonderful and I consider you guys Sydney's little guardian angels watching over her. I know this wouldnt have been as good as it has without your help. I mean, words cannot properly express my greatitude and appreication. You both have proved to me there are still kind people, wonderful people in the world. Thank you! :love::love::love:

[Catty1]

KK - ask to meet with the vet at the office about your concerns. A lot of these goof-ups are done at the front desk, not in the OR. They are separate from the vet herself.

Please write down the dates, and what happened. You don't have to blame anyone. Even print out a statement, and just state what happened on those dates - no names needed, the vet will be able to figure that out. Remind her how worried you are about Sydney - AND how happy you are that her treatments have gone so well (praise the vet a bit!;) ) - and ask her what her advice to you is now that she has seen the list? (You put the ball in her court).

AND - who knows if there are goof-ups with OTHER people's pets, and they have never complained. You doing this could save a couple of lives, maybe.


{{{{HUGS}}}}

[Medusa]

What Candace said. :)

[Emeraldgreen]

I don't blame you for being worried and it does make sense to contact the vet about it. If it were just one mistake then it might not be so much of a concern but there are so many and some fairly serious. Things are being missed and it must be so frustrating that it seems to keep happening.
It would be a good idea to list all the mix ups for the vet because having them all together will really highlight how much has been overlooked and it is unacceptable. And as you mentioned, the Doxorubicin can cause serious damage if done incorrectly and with all these mistakes, the vet will surely understand how it has created unnecessary stress and worry, especially when the consequences could be so devastating. Sydney obviously means the world to you and they should be providing the best care possible. It may be that it's a different person each time making an error and no one is totally aware of all the mistakes that have been made. I wouldn't be surprised if it was discussed in great detail at their next staff meeting!
I would hope that your vet will make sure from that point on that there isn't so much as a spelling error on Sydney's paperwork. ;) She deserves good care and so do you. :)

[Moesha]

How are you and Mz Sydney doing?

[catlover32648]

Im praying for the best =]

how are you and sydney doing?

[Catty1]

Thinking of you and beautiful Sydney. Hope all is well after he recent treatment.

You are a BIZZY person, so I know you will check in when you can.

{{{{hugs}}}}

[kittykatharine]

Sydney is doing well. She is still eating really well which is very surprising. We haven't really had too many issues with vomiting, although she will do it once every few days. I have her on a anti-nausea medicine, so that seems to be working pretty well. Sydney has to go in this Friday for blood tests. I called and asked if it was possible they could take her blood without sedating her, and it was a big no. I know that she gets really mean, but I could do it no problem and just bring the sample in. I was trained how to take blood in people, so I don't understand the huge leap in faith for an animal. Sydney would let me do it, I just think they are worried about liabilities. Well, Sydney only has three more chemo administrations left (WooHoo!). She has the Vincristine next week, then we skip a month (she will get on take home pill two weeks into that month), and then she will get another administration of Vinctistine and the last (and most powerful) the Doxorubicin. After the Doxorubicin, she has another restaging (where they do an ultrasound, some blood test, and a ECG). Although I was wondering, what is the point of the restaging? She is not able to have any more Doxorubicin after her last time, because of the cardiotoxicity, and that is the most powerful drug for her type of cancer. I mean, I feel the restaging is just going to be a $500+ price tag for the vet telling me her approximation of time left. I had to drop down to half time at school, live with my parents, discontinue my old cell phone, and a bunch of other sacrifices to pay for her treatment (and I would definitely do it again in a heart beat) - I just wonder what is the purpose of the restaging, it seems to be a really expensive opinion on longevity. If it was a treatment, I would give it to them in a second, but it is not. What do you think?



movie of Sydney!
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f39/kittykatharine/?action=view&current=MVI_2045.flv

[Emeraldgreen]

I'm so glad she is doing well. :) I'm not familiar with chemo and re-staging but if it is as you say, just a test to see how long she has and there is no further treatment available anyway, I would ask if you could skip it. 500.00 is alot of money and you've already spent so much. She of course is worth every penny!! :D

[kittykatharine]

movie of Sydney - I thought she looked cute as ever! She has come so far since she had that large bump in her head...

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f39/kittykatharine/?action=view&current=MVI_2013.flv


I love her so much! :love::love::love:

[Catty1]

Another thought.

How soon does the restaging have to be done after the last treatment? Can you have a bit of time to save up? Will she take a payment plan for that relatively small amount?

Maybe you didn't mean it to sound fatalistic, 'seeing how much time Sydney has left' - but I think the restaging is to see how much more cancer has vanished...maybe it all has. Remember her first checkup where two tumours had GONE, and that was quite a few treatments and weeks ago. :)

It's like in humans....you don't say it's cured til a certain amount of time goes by without a recurrence.

But cancer all gone is a definite possibility!

How is our girl doing?

{{{{hugs}}}}

[kittykatharine]

I am going to have to talk to the vet about the re-staging and when it is to occur. My chemo protocol sheet says it is done the last week of the treatment, but I may need to push it a bit. It is just, I feel the re-staging equipment is just going to give me an answer that has little to no certainty. The more accurate tests (such as bone, kidney, and spleen aspirations) that Sydney had done in Auburn would give a more definitive answer to if the cancer is gone, but I can not afford that trip or the cost again. Besides, I have to get a referral to be seen, and those are hard to come by. Once I get more info from the vet I will let you know. I mean the re-staging is just a really expensive ultrasound - which quite frankly is not that great of a tool unless you have a very distinctive mass (which I am guessing she does not).

Otherwise, Sydney has been doing great! She is eating normally, running around being playful, and she is extremely lovable. If you didnt know better you would say nothing was wrong (except for her pretty shave job :D). Her blood tests were fantastic on Friday, and everything seemed to be in the normal range. It looks hopeful for now. I will keep everyone updated.

[Catty1]

Can Sydney have a CT scan done? (Sadly, they are not called CAT scans anymore...progress! :D ) If the restaging won't give you definite answers - well, what's the point, sort of?

Is anything available through your school?

Glad she is doing so well! :love:

[jennielynn1970]

Awe... she looks great!!! Such a cutie!

Hugs to Sydney!!

[Catty1]

KK - do you by chance have a recent pic of our sweetheart? ;):love:

[jennielynn1970]

Candace... she posted this today ;)


movie of Sydney - I thought she looked cute as ever! She has come so far since she had that large bump in her head...

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f39/kittykatharine/?action=view&current=MVI_2013.flv


I love her so much! :love::love::love:

[kittykatharine]

Can Sydney have a CT scan done? (Sadly, they are not called CAT scans anymore...progress! ) If the restaging won't give you definite answers - well, what's the point, sort of?

Is anything available through your school?

Glad she is doing so well!


Unfortunately, my school does not have any veterinarian medicine program, so they are of no help. I know my vet does not have CT scan capabilities either. Maybe there is another vet in the area that has this equipment, and my vet can just refer me to them for the test. If not, Auburn is the closest vet school and they are three and a half hours away. It is very hard for me to determine what is best. I will talk it over with my vet, hopefully this will help with the decision making.


Here is a recent photo of Sydney:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f39/kittykatharine/IMG_1963.jpg

[Catty1]

I watched the video...short, but SOOO sweet! Sydney has the most amazing face and spirit - you can just see her friskiness?

"Sick? Who? Not ME! I'm just being a cat!":D

[jennielynn1970]

She is so adorable! I love that face!

Smooches to you sweetie!!!! :love:

[Moesha]

I love that face too! I'm so glad you found us here at PT so you could share Sydney and her amazing story with us. No matter what the outcome, I will always remember your dear Sydney. Those first pictures with the lump on her head pushing on her eye to this latest one is just amazing!! Give her a big hug for me please!

[Medusa]

She is so adorable! I love that face!

Smooches to you sweetie!!!! :love:

My thought exactly! I could just eat her up! :love:

[jenluckenbach]

Just checking in on Sydney! SOOOOO cute! :love:

Here is how I would handle the restaging....... Ask the vet WHY it is done. Ask why does it matter if she cannot have more treatment. Ask all the questions yo have and then go home and think it over. THEN, if allthe answers still add up to you not wanting to have it done......simply don't do it! Cancel the appointment. After all, YOU have the last call. No Dr. can FORCE you to have a procedure done. Allow me to give you another example. (When Rutherford had a lump removed, the Dr. suggested biopsy. So we did, and it was a fibrosarcoma. When Rutherford needed a second lump removed a few months later, the Dr suggested biopsy. I said NO. We all knew that fibrosarcoma has a way of returning so there was no reason to spend the money to find out what we already knew. Make sense?)

Anyway, I'm so glad Sydney is doing well.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Sydney looks great and I'm glad to hear that she's doing so well.:D I too would follow the advice of Jen. Good luck.:)

[Emeraldgreen]

Sydney looks great! Thanks for sharing the videos and pic of her. I hope her improvement continues and that she has a good long time with you. :)

[momtomany]

Sydney has the most expressive face and eyes. What a beauty. Prayers that she will continue to do well.

[kittykatharine]

Just so everyone knows, Sydney is still doing fine. She hasn't had any complications.

[Catty1]

She must be thriving being off chemo! (She IS done for now, right?)

Did you ever get the Transfer Factor from Lara?

Please give that sweet face a kiss on the forehead for me. :love: I know how horribly tragic it was to lose Herc...and yet, your baby Sydney is thriving. What a mixed message for your heart.


{{{{hugs}}}}

[Medusa]

You must have been picking up on my vibe, Katherine, because I was just about to ask how she's doing. You've had a rough go of it, first w/her, then w/Hercules dying. Please know that we haven't forgotten about you and you're in our prayers every day. :love:

[Emeraldgreen]

I just went through your thread to see what you had decided about the Transfer Factor a few months ago and found a post where you said you had purchased some. How did that go? I do have half a bottle here if you would like it. I also have a whole bottle that was compounded into a thick chicken flavoured suspension and it is in this GIANT syringe. I was supposed to squeeze out Tiger's daily dose and give it to him orally but he absolutely would not let me and I didn't want to stress him. I would want to check with the pharmacisit who compounded it to see if it is still good to use though. It has been sitting in a drawer since Tiger passed. If you are interested, please let me know and I'd be happy to mail it to you. I was also thinking that the other kitty in the cat health section who has squamous cell carcinoma might be able to use it. Maybe I could send one to you and the other to Haggis.

Hope beautiful Sydney is doing well. Please post when you can. I saw all these pictures of her just now when I went through the thread and the one with her with the stitches in her head are so heart wrenching. She is such a fighter. :love:

[kittykatharine]

I just went through your thread to see what you had decided about the Transfer Factor a few months ago and found a post where you said you had purchased some. How did that go? I do have half a bottle here if you would like it. I also have a whole bottle that was compounded into a thick chicken flavoured suspension and it is in this GIANT syringe. I was supposed to squeeze out Tiger's daily dose and give it to him orally but he absolutely would not let me and I didn't want to stress him. I would want to check with the pharmacisit who compounded it to see if it is still good to use though. It has been sitting in a drawer since Tiger passed. If you are interested, please let me know and I'd be happy to mail it to you. I was also thinking that the other kitty in the cat health section who has squamous cell carcinoma might be able to use it. Maybe I could send one to you and the other to Haggis.

Hope beautiful Sydney is doing well. Please post when you can. I saw all these pictures of her just now when I went through the thread and the one with her with the stitches in her head are so heart wrenching. She is such a fighter. :love:


I had bought a bottle and was giving it to Sydney in the beginning of her treatment. As she became more savvy, she wouldn't eat the food if it had the transfactor in it. After a while I was trying to give it to her in a capsule, but between the prednisone, fomatadine, antinausea medication, and iron supplements, it has become too stressful to give it to her. I have managed to fit all the above medications in one little capsule (which I give her every other day), and she gets a daily 1 cc of iron supplement daily. She really fights if I force her to do anything more than I am already doing. I can't seem to make her take anything more. So for now, I am waiting on the transfactor. My plan is when she finishes the chemo, etc. - I will start her back on the the transfactor, since she is already in habit of getting medicine everyday. I really appreciate you offering me your transfactor, I currently have about 3/4 of my bottle left for now. I am always a little worried about giving Sydney extra medicine, because I worry about taxing her liver. She already has SO much medicine in her body, which her body is constantly having to break down. My vet doesn't seem to know anything about transfactor - which doesn't help me either. Do you by any chance know of any clinical trials or clinical studies I could read about? I am pretty savvy and knowledgeable about medicine, so even complicated veterinarian or medical journal articles would help. Thank you!

[Emeraldgreen]

I had a very similar problem with Tiger and I understand.
I found a few sites that might be of interest and they are below. They are not case studies but have quite a bit of info.

Transfer Factor in Veterinary Medicine (http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/tf/s/pets.htm#vet)

Cancer Testimonials (http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/cancer-testimonials.htm)

Independent Study (http://www.professionalnetworkers.com/pdflibrary/study.pdf)

:)

[jennielynn1970]

How is Ms Sydney doing?

:love:HUGS:love: Sydney!!

[kittykatharine]

Sydney has been doing just fine. In fact she has been quite the little sneaker. The other day I couldnt find her and it turned out that she had snuck outside when my parents were bringing in groceries. It was quite the scare. I ended up picking up a bell at the pet store and put on her collar, so I can hear her at all times. She is eating normal, running around playing with her ball, and being sweet as ever. She has chemotherapy on Friday (and then only one more! woohoo) and I am going to try to talk to the vet about aftercare. I have no idea what is supposed to happen after chemo is done. Lets all keep our fingers crossed that her cancer is in remission for good. Well, I will post you all about our meeting this Friday. I hope everyone is well (including all your babies)!!!!!:love::love::love:

[Medusa]

Now that's the kind of update that I like to read! So the little stinker is adventurous now, eh? That must have done your heart good except that it also scared the pants off ya. PT prayers are wonder working and we'll all keep them going for as long as necessary. You go, Sydney! :love:

[Moesha]

I'm so glad to hear about Sydney's progress. She's a very special girl here at PT that's for sure! Keep up the good work.

[kittykatharine]

Sydney's blood work was good yet again. I was very pleased to see that all was well. My vet basically said that after this Friday (Sydney's last chemo), she is going to have to have monthly blood tests, quarterly xrays, and annual ultrasounds. She also indicated she was going to talk with the vet oncologist on the possibility of keeping Sydney on low dose prednisone. She also indicated that in the next few months (no earlier than three), Sydney is going to have to get her teeth cleaned, because she has some painful ulceration's on her gums. We cant get that done now, because it could put her heart at risk. Of course all this fun aftercare wasn't included in my treatment estimate, but these are much more spread out, giving me time to work. The vet also said once the chemo is done (which the last one is the harshest one-Doxorubicin), there is a chance the doxo will have some bad effects after the chemo is completed and we will not know this till we finish. I am going to have to watch Sydney like a hawk to ensure nothing is changing. I mean, if the cancer comes out of remission, then I will have done everything I can do. The doctor said we do chemo all of again (with different drugs), which I can't afford. So everyone please pray that the cancer is permanently gone from her system and she can live a happy and healthy life from here on out. I will continue to update everyone.

P.S. - I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!! :love::love::love::love:

[Medusa]

Of course, we'll keep the prayers going for Sydney! She's always in our prayers. It's good to hear that she has only one treatment left to go and I sure do hope that it isn't too hard on her and that she stays in remission. She's been through so much and so have you and you sure don't need the big expense coming up, even if it is spread out. All in all, I'm looking at this as a good report. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving, too. :)

[Emeraldgreen]

I'm so glad to hear that Sydney is doing so well these days! What kind of effects could there be from the Doxo chemo? I wonder what your vet's thoughts are on how she might do without this last treatment? Since she is doing so well and her bloodwork is great. But maybe this last session is an important step in the whole process. I don't know much about chemotherapy.
Prayers that she continues to feel wonderful! Please post updates when you have time. :)

[kittykatharine]

I'm so glad to hear that Sydney is doing so well these days! What kind of effects could there be from the Doxo chemo? I wonder what your vet's thoughts are on how she might do without this last treatment? Since she is doing so well and her bloodwork is great. But maybe this last session is an important step in the whole process. I don't know much about chemotherapy.
Prayers that she continues to feel wonderful! Please post updates when you have time. :)


I asked that same question, and the vet said that it is important she receive this last treatment, because it is the last harsh attempt at getting all the bad overproducing cells. The effects may be heart or kidney failure - because she has had so many of these Doxorubicin treatments, and they are very toxic. The vet told me though, that typically the cats that do well during treatment do well after treatment. She is quite the fighter, so I am hoping she will do well. I am worried, but I have lots of hope :D. my vet told me to pay attention to her eating habits, whether or not she is fatigued, and panting, coughing, etc. I will of course watch her like a hawk :-). I will be home for christmas break, so i will have more time to watch her:love::love::love:

[kittykatharine]

I wanted everyone to know that Sydney has finished the last of her chemotherapy protocol. She finished the last chemo administration this past Friday, and I had them conduct the restaging. The restating came back clean -no cancerous masses anywhere, the kidney and liver were clean, and the blood work came back within normal limits. This success story could not have occured if it hadn't been for all the wonderful people hear on PetTalk. The donations so many of you provided gave me and my family enough time to come up with the needed money to continue her treatment. She was on the verge of death six months ago, and because of all of you, she is happy and healthy. Her face has resumed back to normal and she no longer has any breathing problems. She means so much to me and my family and you have been so wonderful. All the support and information gave me what I needed to stay proactive and on top of her care. I want you all to know that what you do here changes peoples lives for the better. You are all angels in our household and will never be forgotten!!!! :love::love::love::love::love:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f39/kittykatharine/IMG_2117.jpg

[Moesha]

Awwww!! That brought tears to my eyes! I am so happy to hear of Sydney's excellent report! You know last week I was going through a pile of mail that I kept throwing on my table and found the receipt that the vet's office sent me from my credit card. I hadn't noticed before but the receptionist had hand written a message on it saying, "Thank you for the donation for your friend." While we've never met, and probably never will, it is so nice to think of so many wonderful people here as friends. I am so happy I could have a small part in making Sydney's recovery successful. But you really deserve the credit. You went above and beyond for your dear Sydney and sacrificed so much for her health. I'm glad to read about her test results, happy for Sydney and for you. That picture you posted of her and her lump on her face is one that touched my heart. Please don't be a stranger around here just because Sydney isn't going through treatments now. *hugs* to you and sweet Sydney!!

[rg_girlca]

I'm sorry that I haven't posted before, but I have been following your precious Sydney's story and kept her in my prayers. I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face just from seeing that wonderful picture of you with Sydney on your shoulders. If ever there was a heartwarming story, this is the one. I am so very happy to hear how well Sydney is doing and pray that she continues to live a long and healthy life. She is such a beautiful girl, in fact, you both are. :)

[jennielynn1970]

YAY!!! So good to hear of the great report from the vet!!

Whoo!! Go Sydney!!

[jenluckenbach]

OMG! A miracle just in time for Christmas. I could not be happier for you! :D

It also taught me a lesson in chemo therapy for cats, something I really don't (or didn't) believe in before this.

Sydney, live long and prosper for many many more years. :love:

[LionHart]

How heartwarming! So glad to see your baby is healthy. What a wonderful holiday for you!

[Medusa]

We needed a Christmas miracle and Sydney is it! What a wonderful report! The pic of you w/Sydney on your shoulder is just precious. Prayers will continue for her good health and for you, too, Katherine. Now exhale. :) Gentle pets to Sydney and (((HUGS))) to you. :love:

[Catty1]

WOOHOO!!!! She looks just darling sitting there on your shoulders - and it's nice to see YOU in the picture also!

Did Sydney make that thank you sign all by herself? What a talented and beautiful girl! :D


HUGS!!!! I bet your mom and BF are almost as happy as you are!

[kittykatharine]

Sydney is still doing ok, although the last Doxo has definitley affected her. She has been laying around more than usual. I have been still been able to her to purr, so I havent been worried yet. Her eating has subsided again, so I am going to try baby food again. The saga continues ;). Merry Christmas to you all!!!!!

[kittykatharine]

Sydney had to go in for her blood test and the results were disheartening. Her ALT levels were elevated, and the vet seems to think it is one of three things:

1. the cancer has returned
2. she is in the beginning stages of liver failure
3. the liver is excreting high levels of ALT from all of the medications


I am so very worried, because I have spent so much time trying to help her. She has been pretty lethargic lately, and I could tell she wasn't feeling her best. She has also lost some weight, which makes me worry as well - she is 8.5 lbs now, when she started the chemo 6 months ago she was almost 14 lbs. It is so very stessful. The vet gave me a medication, which is supposed to help liver cells from dying and protect healthy tissue. Please pray that this will get her ALT levels down. She will be going back to the vet in two weeks to have her levels checked again...:(

[Medusa]

Goodness, how worried you must be, Katharine. Well, we'll get those prayers going right now that all will be well w/Sydney and that this is yet another bump in the road. Keep the faythe. :love:

[jenluckenbach]

I am so sorry to hear this. :( Prayers on the way.

[Catty1]

Major prayers for Sydney and you. After all the meds and chemo, I hope it is her liver getting rid of the stuff.

Is there anything that can help the liver detox more? More water? Milk thistle?

Looking forward to the medication making Sydney her old self again.:love:

[jennielynn1970]

Prayers on the way for Sydney to start feeling better again! I hope it's not the cancer returning!! Like Candace said, maybe her liver needs to detox. Hopefully that's all it is.

Hugs to you!!

[kb2yjx]

sorry to hear about Sydney!!! I will say some prayers for her and lit a candle for her, too!!

[Moesha]

I am hoping for the best for Sydney and you. Please keep us update about her health. You'll both be in my thoughts.

[phesina]

Prayers for Sydney and you both, that the medication will help her liver and that it isn't cancer or liver failure, and that Sydney will feel better and be stronger soon.

Love,
Pat and my Sydney (and my other cats too)

[momtomany]

Prayers for you and Sydney that this just from her treatment and nothing else.

[Emeraldgreen]

I'm so sorry that Sydney isn't as well as she was in the last few months. I hope this is just a temporary hiccup in her recovery. Prayers that her liver can be helped with some meds so she is feeling better again. Please update when you can. Hugs to you and Sydney. :love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I hope that she'll be able to recover and feel better soon. I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

[Moesha]

I just wanted to check in on you, Miss Sydney and the rest of the gang at your place.

[weluvcats]

I just read your last post about Sydney...Bless her heart:love: You have really been through a rough time with her...You said that she would be having more labs in 2 weeks...I hope that she is doing better. It is so hard to have a pet who is so sick:(...I'll light a candle for her...Hang in there...

Hugs and prayers!

Judy:)

[funny felines]

please post an update after you bring her back to the vet. how is she doing? I hope things improve. how old is your cat? prayers for your cat to get better.

[kittykatharine]

I have Sydney's latest results and they are good! Her liver enzymes (which had worried the vet so much) have gone from 149 to 79 (100 is normal). The only high value was her kidney values, which were only one to two points higher than the norm and the vet said she wasn't concerned about that. She also has gained a little weight, which is great, although we have about 2 more pounds for her to gain to get her back to a healthy level. She seems to have significantly perked up since being on this liver medicine. It has been really wonderful.

Quote from funny felines, "please post an update after you bring her back to the vet. how is she doing? I hope things improve. how old is your cat? prayers for your cat to get better."

Sydney is doing much better. She is eating and playing like normal. She has definitley improved. She also just celebrated her 13th birthday. We threw her a little birthday party - with her favorite Nutro wet food :D It was really cute.


Thank you so much everyone for caring and praying for her. Medusa, jenluckenbach, Catty1, jenn_librarian, kb2yjx, phesina, momtomany,Emeraldgreen, krazyaboutkatz, weluvcats, funny felines thank you so much! :love::love::love: Sydney appreciates all the support!

[weluvcats]

What great news!!! Bless her sweet heart!:love: I am so glad to hear that she is doing so much better!:D:D:D I know you must be relieved as well.:)

I love the b-day party for her!!! That is so cute!:D

Hopefully the meds you've given her for her liver have done the trick, and she'll remain happy and healthy.:) (just watch those kidney levels...)

Hugs and kisses to Sydney!!:love:

Judy:)

P.S. We also have a kitty named Baby!:)

[Catty1]

THANK YOU GOD!!!:love::love::love:

Please deliver hugs and kisses to sweet Sydney for me!:D

[Medusa]

More good news! Yay! That's what I like to hear! You go, Sydney! :love:

[jenluckenbach]

Wonderful news! :D

[Moesha]

I am so glad to hear this news about Sydney!! YaY!!!

[jennielynn1970]

So glad that things are getting better for Sydney!! Yay sweet girl!!!

[Emeraldgreen]

That is great news!! http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd102/emeraldcreek/smileyrainbowguy.gif
I hope that she gains back those 2 pounds but in the meantime, this is a wonderful update! :)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks for the wonderful update.:D I'm so glad to hear that she's doing so well and I hope that she'll continue to be a happy and healthy cat for many more years to come.:)

[jenluckenbach]

How is Sydney doing???

[momtomany]

How absolutely wonderful and a huge perk up to my day to hear that Sydney is doing so well. A few extra treats for this special baby's birthday is in order don't you think Happy 13th Birthday and enjoy being an errant "teenager.":D

[jennielynn1970]

I've been wondering how she's doing as well.

[allmycats]

the picture of Sydney with a donation can is a good idea, also maybe you can ask vet clinics if you can put a donation can with a pic Of your cat and her story on the counter? try this a 2 or 3 vets for a week and see how it goes, if goes well you can ask a few more vets in your area...

[allmycats]

Sydney is such a sweet looking kitty, I sure hope she gets well quickly!

[momofive]

I just joined this thread and wish you and Sydney the best. I know what its like to struggle with a sick pet and huge medical bills.

I realize your schedule is probably filled to the max with school and work, but here's a suggestion that might bring in some extra money:

try www.liveops.com

click on become an agent

I do this for extra income. Basically its a work-at-home job, very flexible. You set your own schedule, you can even work unscheduled. You take phone calls for sales orders, people call in for stuff they see on TV, pizza, flowers, etc. Pay is per min of talk time, so if no one calls, no pay. I typically average about $10/hour, some days better than others. It takes time to get past training, I'd say about a month before you make anything real. Startup costs are minimal, you just need a seperate, dedicated phone line and computer and headphones. I've found LiveOps to be great to pick up extra income for various reasons.

Also, check into www.chacha.com. This is also a work at home job, you research questions people text in. Pay is per answer, there again, the first month is usually not much but I've heard of people making $400-$600/month for not that much time.

Hope these suggestions help and the best of luck to you and little Sydney.:love: